The pre-Socratic Greek philosopher Heraclitus is attributed with the quotation, “The only constant in life is change.”
With all that happened in the second half of 2024, it’s sure that change is ahead for all of us in 2025. During a conversation this past November that was part of MS Ireland’s Unspeakable Bits web series, I spoke with the heads of three international MS organizations about the challenges that lie ahead for us.
Ava Battles, CEO of MS Ireland; Elisabeth Kasilingam, head of the European MS Platform; and Tim Coetzee, president of the National MS Society, joined me to talk about the difficulties (and some positives) from the last year and in the year ahead.
What struck me was that all three leaders saw some of the same issues for people living with multiple sclerosis in the months to come. Key points they all focused on was the importance of vigilance in the changing times ahead.
Political Change
Ireland, Europe, and the United States have all had elections in the past several months. All three of the MS organizations represented in our discussion see the move to the fiscal right as something worth keeping in mind for anyone with chronic conditions. From healthcare and disability rights to social welfare and assistance, a fiscal tightening might be ahead for us.
Delayed MS Care
Early diagnosis and treatment of MS is the best way to cope with the disease. All three leaders spoke of the continued difficulties they see in getting people into the “MS system” quickly and onto a path of treatment and wellness. This was the case in 2024, and they suspect that this will be slow to fix in the months and years ahead.
A Lack of Affordable Housing
Another international concern for people with MS is housing and the lack of affordable housing in general, let alone for people trying to live on reduced incomes.
With an aging population, some with MS are looking at selling up and downsizing earlier than the rest of their age cohort. But there are fewer and fewer spaces for them to move to once they sell.
Also, the younger people being diagnosed will be faced with more challenges in the housing market as they try to take the first steps on what is becoming a steeper and steeper ownership ladder.
A Need for Patient Advocacy
There was also a collective call to get involved with patient advocacy organizations so that our voices can be heard above the noise that is sure to be a focus over the next year. As Coetzee mentioned, however, we can all spend more energy on the actions that need attention rather than the words that are being said about things.
Actions speak louder than words … and we’re sure to hear an awful lot of words in 2025.
To find out how you can support the cause of people with MS locally and more broadly, check in with the MS organizations in your country — or possibly a local branch of such an organization. Most groups list possibilities for volunteering, raising awareness, and fundraising. Each person’s efforts are important and add up to a greater whole, so don’t let being just one person hold you back from speaking, and acting, up for MS.
Wishing you and your family the best of health.
Cheers,
Trevis
